Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government won’t lower its immigration targets despite growing criticism that drastic population growth worsens existing housing shortages.
In one of his first interviews a week into his new cabinet role, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said the government will have to either keep — or raise — its annual targets for permanent residents of about half a million. That’s because of the diminishing number of working-age people relative to the number of retirees and the risk it poses to public service funding, he said.
Miller’s comments suggest the government is still counting on that backing to grow its population rapidly to stave off long-term economic decline. Trudeau’s government has consistently raised its target for permanent residents. Last year, foreign students, temporary workers and refugees made up another group that’s even larger, bringing total arrivals to a record one million.
“We have to get away from this notion that immigrants are the major cause of housing pressures and the increase in home prices,” he said. “We tend not to think in longer historical arcs or in generational terms, but if people want dental care, health care and affordable housing that they expect, the best way to do that is to get that skilled labor in this country.”
“What’s driving this is really rational concerns, not xenophobia,” said David Coletto, Abacus Data’s chief executive officer. “From many people’s perspective, the growth that Canada experienced hasn’t been matched with an increase in infrastructure. It’s putting a strain on public opinion toward immigration more broadly. We’d be foolish to assume that Canada’s immune to the same forces that have affected other countries.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces separation from wife SophieThe couple were married in 2005, before Trudeau became Liberal leader and have three children together
Read more »
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau And Wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau Separating After 18 Years Of MarriageThe Prime Minister of Canada and his wife are separating. On Wednesday, Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau shocked the world by announcing their split after 18 years of marriage. [readmore label='READ MORE: ' link='https://etcanada.com/news/986524/justin-trudeau-john-legend-added-to-global-citizen-now-lineup/' text='Justin Trudeau, John Legend Added To Global Citizen NOW Lineup' /] The couple made the announcement in a pair of…
Read more »
(PHOTOS) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie through the yearsThe couple announced on Aug. 2, 2023 that they are separating.
Read more »
(PHOTOS) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie through the yearsThe couple announced on Aug. 2, 2023 that they are separating.
Read more »
BREAKING: Prime Minister announces separation from his wife Sophie Grégoire TrudeauThe couple were married in 2005, before Trudeau became Liberal leader and have three children together
Read more »